Google to Hide, Block Downloads on Outdated Android Apps for New Users

For security and performance reasons, Google doesn't want you running outdated apps on your brand new smartphone, so starting in November, it'll be harder to install these apps on devices running the latest versions of Android.

"We currently require new apps and app updates to target an Android API level within one year of the latest major Android OS version release," Google Product Management Director Krish Vitaldevara wrote in a blog post. "New apps and app updates that don’t meet this requirement cannot be published on Google Play."

Starting on Nov. 1, though, "we are taking additional steps to protect users from installing apps that may not have the latest privacy and security features,” Vitaldevara explained. Specifically, Google will prevent new users from discovering and installing apps that target an API level that’s not within two years of the latest major Android release.

For example, a user who just bought their first Android phone running Android 12 won’t find apps designed for Android 9 when they’re searching through the Play Store.

Google’s rationale is that users with the latest devices and software updates “expect to realize the full potential of all the privacy and security protections Android has to offer,” so it is making this change to protect users from apps that could lack these protections. 

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The focus on “new users” is an important distinction. Current and long-time Android users don’t have to worry about this change locking them out of their favorite legacy apps. Existing Android users will continue to be able to find apps they’ve previously installed, and they can re-install and use those apps on any devices that support them. 

Ahead of Nov. 1, Google is providing developers guidance on how to migrate their apps to target newer API levels and offering six-month extensions for developers who may need more time.